As a race, human beings have been tending to their wounds since documented history began. Moving on from spiritual rituals and incantations, some of the most basic principles of practical wound care can be observed as far back as 2200 BC.
For example, archaeologists discovered a clay tablet describing the ‘three healing gestures’: washing the wound, making plastering materials, and then bandaging the wound. Are we really so different now, googling the answers to many common first aid questions? How we have developed wound care is essentially, therefore, aligned with the history of humankind.
In this blog, the experts at Team Medtake a look back on where we have come from and use it to look forward on what the future holds for modern wound care.
Ancient Plasters
One of the most important elements of wound care is to protect the open area from infections carried on the air or in the surrounding environment. It needs time in isolation to heal properly. While it may seem primitive from our contemporary stance, ancient civilisations utilised early plasters as comparable modern wound dressings. They would mix together a combination of materials, such as clay, mud, plants, and herbs, that could, once applied, provide protection to open wounds and absorb any excretions. The most common ingredient, however, was oil, which would assist fighting off infection-baring bacteria, which does not thrive in oil, as well as avoiding the ‘bandage’ sticking to the wound. This is a clear path to observe how humanity grew their understanding of the materials around them, and how they were utilised for better health.
Alcohol as More than Just Pain Relief
It may not surprise you to know that beer has been a choice beverage in societies across the world for generations. Nowadays, when people are feeling pain, they only turn to a drink for some slight relief. In previous cultures, however, it was actually a key medicinal ingredient used in wound care techniques. For example, in ancient Mesopotamian, a methodology was found in which beer was pounded together with fur-turpentine, pine-turpentine, tamarisk, daisy, flour of inninnu strain and milk, and then once applied and bound on the skin, a wound would heal. Of course, it wasn’t as effective as the processes and medicines we have available today, but the ingenious understanding and application of beer’s properties just goes to show why it has been a favourite throughout the ages.
Breaking into the 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries
It is incredible to look back and see how exponentially wound care has progressed. The more we learn and build on the knowledge of each other, the faster we are travelling towards greater treatment of our citizens.
In the 18th century, surgery was only just starting to become a respected aspect of medicine, reserved for the wealthy, the daring, and those willing to essentially be experimented upon. Come the 19th century, antibiotics and antiseptic techniques were discovered (some by accident) and when they were introduced, they had a tremendous effect quelling infection numbers and lowering mortality rates. Once the 20th century arrived, modern wound care really developed, with thousands of easy-to-use products becoming vastly available to the general public, and as a result, we have longer life spans, greater access to care, and a higher quality of life than any previous generation before us.
Modern Breathable Bandages & Adhesives
Remarkable advancements aren’t slowing down either, with great strides being made with products, such as the LiquiBand Optima Topical Skin Adhesive Mini.35g Applicator.This handy device allows the precise application of a skin adhesive that can close wounds with a microbial barrier protection, and dry in an ultra-fast 10 seconds, without so much as a sting for the patient!
For more information on our list of high quality wound care products, contact Team Medical Supplies today by calling 1300 22 44 50.